New Delhi, Feb 26 (Reporter) India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday predicted rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning from March 1 to March 3 with the possibility of heavy rainfall on March 1 and 2. According to the MeT department, “An active western disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan Region from February 29 and adjoining plains from March 1 to 3.” Under its influence, fairly widespread to widespread moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms & lightning is very likely over the Western Himalayan Region from March 1 to 3, the IMD said. “Scattered to fairly widespread light rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms and lightning are very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi on March 1 and 2,” it said. Parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan is expected to witness scattered moderate rainfall on March 1 and 2. The IMD also predicted isolated heavy rainfall and snowfall over the Western Himalayan Region on March 1 and 2. Hailstorm activity is also likely at isolated places over Uttarakhand on March 1. Isolated to scattered light rainfall and snowfall is very likely over Arunachal Pradesh during the next 6-7 days under the influence of cyclonic circulation lies over east Assam and neighbourhood in lower tropospheric levels, the IMD said. The MeT department further said, “Isolated moderate rainfall is expected over Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on February 28. The weather department forecasts hot and humid weather over Rayalaseema, Kerala during the next 5 days. A gradual rise in minimum temperatures by 2-4 degrees Celsius is very likely over Northwest India during the next 3 days and no significant change thereafter, it said. No significant change in minimum temperatures is very likely over the rest parts of the country during the next 5 days, the IMD added...////...